Confidence Marks Heidelberg Open House

KENNESAW, GA—There is no sugar coating the challenging economic climate that exists in the printing industry, and Marcel Kiessling is well aware of it. Kiessling, a member of the management board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG who also heads up the sales and service segments, doesn't think that is cause for taking a negative outlook, however, and it's not a case of pollyanna hopefulness.

"Let's be confident about the future of the printing industry, in total," Kiessling said during a break at Heidelberg's Discover HEI Open House on Aug. 27. "Certainly it is undergoing changes and we have to adapt, but it can be profitable.

"Too many people are waiting for the good old days to come back. But the question you have to ask yourself is, do I believe in the future of the printing industry, and if yes, then I can't sit on the sidelines."

More than 200 companies from the United States, Canada and Mexico were represented, making it a truly North American event. After a welcoming reception dinner on Aug. 26, visitors to the North American Print & Packaging Technology Center were treated to a day of bow-to-stern Heidelberg and friends technologies, led on the iron side by a trio of Speedmaster presses (XL 106, CX 102 and SX 74).

Kiessling's theme was constant throughout the demonstrations: It takes the latest in technologies to be efficient on the production end, reducing running costs, doing more with fewer resources. Otherwise, "you're leaving money on the table." While Heidelberg has endured financial challenges the past few years, it is heartened by the 21 percent growth in U.S. sales during the past year, primarily fueled by the 40˝ format.